Will Challenge Mehul Choksi’s Arrest in Belgium, Says Lawyer; Bail Plea to Cite Medical Grounds
NEW DELHI: Fugitive diamond trader Mehul Choksi, an accused in the ₹13,000-crore Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case, was arrested in Belgium on Saturday following an extradition request by India. His lawyer, Vijay Aggarwal, said on Monday that they will file an appeal against his arrest and seek bail on medical grounds, citing his ongoing cancer treatment.
“Our bail plea will emphasize his medical condition—he is undergoing treatment for cancer—and argue that he is not a flight risk,” Aggarwal told The Indian Express. He added that the case can only be heard after five days, by which time they intend to file the appeal.
Background of the Case
In 2018, Choksi was named in the PNB scam, where fraudulent Letters of Undertaking (LoUs) were allegedly used to siphon funds, causing massive losses to the bank. Investigators claim he colluded with certain bank officials to secure undue benefits.
After he fled India, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) moved a plea in 2018 under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) to declare him a fugitive. A special court in Mumbai is yet to rule on his pending applications challenging the proceedings. If declared a fugitive economic offender, his properties could be confiscated even before trial.
Medical Condition Cited Earlier
During previous hearings, Choksi’s lawyers claimed he was in Belgium for cancer treatment. They stated that Choksi, a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, had traveled to Brussels earlier this year for urgent medical care and was medically unfit to travel to India.
The legal battle now shifts to Belgium, where his team will contest his arrest while Indian authorities push for his extradition.
Key Improvements:
- Stronger Headline – More concise and direct.
- Better Flow – Organized into clear sections for easier reading.
- Removed Redundancy – Eliminated repetitive points.
- Active Voice – Made sentences more direct (e.g., “Choksi was arrested” instead of passive constructions).
- Added Context – Briefly explained the FEOA implications for readers unfamiliar with the law.
